Universal DRM Client Mediation for Protocol Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incompatible digital rights management (DRM) protocols prevent devices from accessing content secured using different standards, such as ODRL and XrML, limiting interoperability and access to digital materials.
Innovation Solution
A system with a mediation component that maps requests and responses between different DRM protocols, allowing devices to access content using multiple DRM standards by translating between protocols like ODRL and XrML, and enabling on-demand loading of DRM clients or content management protocols on wireless mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DRM protocol clients are installed on a device to access content from different content providers, then access to diverse content is improved, but device memory consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal DRM client architecture where a single client can handle multiple DRM protocols through dynamic loading of protocol-specific modules. The system provides multi-functionality by enabling one client to access content from different content providers using different DRM standards (ODRL, XrML, etc.) without requiring separate dedicated clients for each protocol, thus reducing overall memory consumption while maintaining broad content access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The DRM client is segmented into a core universal component and separate protocol-specific modules. The universal client handles common DRM operations and protocol-agnostic functions, while protocol-specific modules (ODRL handler, XrML handler) are loaded only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a small base footprint with optional add-on functionality, resolving the contradiction between versatility and memory usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a device supports only one DRM protocol to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but interoperability with different content providers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a universal DRM client that mediates between the device and multiple content providers using different DRM protocols. This intermediary translates and adapts protocol-specific requests and responses, enabling interoperability without requiring the device to natively support each protocol. The mediator handles protocol conversion, licensing, and content delivery, simplifying the device's DRM implementation while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic protocol loading and adaptation mechanisms. The DRM client can dynamically load and switch between different protocol handlers based on the content provider being accessed. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain low baseline complexity while providing high adaptability when needed, as protocol-specific functionality is activated only during relevant operations rather than being permanently embedded.
3Speed
If DRM clients are pre-installed on devices to ensure immediate content access, then content access speed is improved, but devices with limited memory cannot accommodate multiple protocol clients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary setup of a universal DRM client framework that is pre-installed on devices, which provides immediate content access capability. The framework is prepared in advance with the ability to dynamically load protocol-specific modules when needed. This preliminary action ensures fast initial access to DRM-protected content while deferring the memory-intensive protocol-specific components until they are actually required, thus balancing speed and memory constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a nested architecture where the universal DRM client framework (pre-installed) contains the capability to load and execute protocol-specific modules (ODRL, XrML, etc.) as needed. The protocol modules are nested within the universal client structure, allowing the system to maintain a small pre-installed footprint while providing comprehensive protocol support through on-demand loading of nested components, resolving the contradiction between immediate access and memory limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system for accessing content secured according to differing digital rights management protocols. The system comprises a device that presents the content and a client component loaded on the device that uses and requests content according to a first digital rights management protocol. The system includes a first content server that receives a request for and provides content according to the first digital rights management protocol and a second content server that receives a request for and provides content according to a second digital rights management protocol. A mediation component maps requests and responses between the client component and the second content server, mediating between the first and second digital rights management protocols. The disclosure contemplates mediating between open digital rights language (ODRL) and extensible right markup language (XrML) digital rights management protocols as well as other digital rights management protocols.